Abstract
In a large community sample (N=490), the Big Five were not orthogonal when modeled as latent variables representing the shared variance of reports from 4 different informants. Additionally, the standard higher-order factor structure was present in latent space: Neuroticism (reversed), Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness formed one factor, labeled Stability, and Extraversion and Openness/Intellect formed a second factor, labeled Plasticity. Comparison of two instruments, the Big Five Inventory and the Mini-Markers, supported the hypotheses that single-adjective rating instruments are likely to yield lower interrater agreement than phrase rating instruments and that lower interrater agreement is associated with weaker correlations among the Big Five and a less coherent higher-order factor structure. In conclusion, an interpretation of the higher-order factors is discussed, including possible neurobiological substrates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1138-1151 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of personality and social psychology |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Big Five
- Higher-order factors
- Metatraits
- Phrase rating instruments
- Plasticity
- Single-adjective rating instruments
- Stability